Abstract: In one embodiment of a gaming machine incorporating the present invention, a special outcome of a primary game initiates a bonus game of a type very different from the primary game. One of the outcomes of the bonus game is the initiation of a third game, which the player then plays to determine whether the bonus game ends or continues. This third game may be the random selection by the player or the gaming machine of one of a plurality of tiles (or other icons), where certain ones of the tiles end the bonus game and other ones of the tiles allow the bonus game to continue. The third game may be any game where a random result determines the ending of the bonus game, or the third game may be a game of skill, such as a hand of blackjack. In one embodiment, the primary game, the bonus game, and the third game are played on the same touch video screen, where sensors in the screen detect the position of a player's touch in order to select a displayed option.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing the game program software and related data files used by a gaming device and for authenticating such files during game startup and play. In one embodiment of the present invention, a verification code is generated by the manufacturer for each software file and data file used by the game. The verification codes are stored in a non-volatile, tamper-proof, read-only memory device, which is (in some embodiments) securely attached to the gaming device. On some or every download of the game software and/or related data files into the gaming device, commencement of a game, or on the occurrence of certain pre-defined events, the stored verification code is used to validate the game software and data files. In some embodiments, verification is performed automatically on a periodic basis without operator or player action.

Abstract: A slot machine is described which allows a player to participate in an additional game of chance whenever a winning combination of symbols includes a special bonus multiplier symbol. In such instances, the award for the winning combination is multiplied by a randomly determined value, thereby increasing the attractiveness of the game. In the preferred embodiment, the bonus multiplier is selected using a weighted random number generator.

Abstract: A method for operating a rotating reel type slot machine, or a video machine which depicts rotating reels, is described herein which allows a player to save in memory one or more symbols from one or more previous games and use those symbols in a current game to obtain a winning combination. In one embodiment, multiple sets of reels are employed, and saved symbols from a primary sets of reels may be used for any of said multiple sets of reels in subsequent games. In one embodiment, additional coins may be deposited to allow the use of saved symbols with additional reel sets. In another embodiment, a special symbol displayed by a first set of reels causes corresponding reels in second and third sets of reels to stop at the special symbol.

Abstract: A system of linked gaming machines has each of the linked gaming machines connected to a common controller. In a normal mode of play, each of the linked gaming machines operates like a conventional machine where the generation of certain combinations of symbols provide awards to the individual players whose machines generate such combinations. In addition to this normal mode of play, a bonus feature is added where the generation of combinations of bonus symbols is used by a central controller to build up a pooled bonus value based upon the values of the combinations of bonus symbols generated by all the linked gaming machines. When a player hits a combination which causes the accumulated bonus value to meet or exceed a predetermined value, a bonus award is given to the player which caused the threshold to be exceeded.

Abstract: A video poker gaming machine is described where a base amount for a poker hand is multiplied by the value of a multiplier card. In one embodiment, the poker hand is four-of-a-kind and the multiplier card is the kicker card.

Abstract: A cash box assembly particularly suited for a slant-top slot machine is described. The slant-top slot machine has an angled console, incorporating the display area and the user interface. The present invention allows an attendant to easily remove a cash box from the console area of a slant-top gaming machine while the attendant stands upright in a comfortable position. The cash box is accessed through a door in the console. The cash box is located at the rear of an arcuate chute so that, when the attendant grasps the handle and pulls the cash box forward, the cash box slides upward along the arcuate path. At the point where the cash box is exiting the arcuate chute, the front of the cash box is approximately parallel to the slanted plane of the console. This is an optimal angle for removing or inserting the cash box. The arcuate path not only reduces the necessary size of the console opening to gain access to the cash box assembly, but provides a more ergonomic cash box removal and insertion technique.

Abstract: A video poker gaming machine is described where, after initially dealing five cards to a player, the machine displays a sixth card to replace a discarded card by the player. In one embodiment, the sixth card automatically replaces the leftmost discarded card. In another embodiment, the sixth card can replace any of the discarded cards.

Abstract: A system of linked gaming machines is disclosed where each of the linked gaming machines is connected to a common controller. In a normal mode of play, each of the linked gaming machines operates like a conventional machine where the generation of certain combinations of symbols provide awards to the individual players whose machines generate such combinations. In addition to this normal mode of play, a bonus feature is added where the generation of combinations of bonus symbols is used by a central controller to build up a pooled bonus value based upon the values of the combinations of bonus symbols generated by all the linked gaming machines. When a player hits a combination which causes the accumulated bonus value to meet or exceed a predetermined value, a bonus award is given to the player which caused the threshold to be exceeded.

Abstract: A method for operating a rotating reel type slot machine, or a video machine which depicts rotating reels, is described herein which allows a player to save in memory one or more symbols from one or more previous games and use those symbols in a current game to obtain a winning combination. The display glass of the slot machine contains an area for displaying the symbols which have been saved.

Abstract: A method for operating a slot machine is described herein which allows a player nine ways to win for a 3-reel slot machine. A total of nine paylines are provided across the array, each payline identifying a unique combination of symbol positions. The display glass of the slot machine contains colored lines interconnecting the symbol positions for each activated payline. The individual paylines are illuminated as each coin is deposited.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment of the present invention operates on a system of interconnected gaming machines and selectively provides one or more active features to all of the gaming machines linked to the system. The enablement of the feature may be based on the combined results from previous plays on the individual gaming machines. The feature may be a bonus award for a specific displayed combination, an increased possibility for a winning combination, or any other feature which alters the normal operation of the gaming machines. The first machine to generate a winning game result to which the feature applies will be given an award based upon the feature. The feature is then disabled and the system returns to normal play mode until the feature is again enabled. Various other features are described.

Abstract: In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a currency security box is releasably secured to a frame within a device, such as a vending machine, gaming machine, gaming table, amusement machine, bank machine or the like, and is automatically released from the frame by sliding a transportable security box cover over the security box. At the position where the security box cover releases the box from the frame, the security box cover also effectively encloses the security box and automatically latches onto the security box. The security box, along with the security box cover, may now be removed from the frame and the device. The security box cover includes a locking device which must be activated to release the security box cover from the security box so as to gain access to the currency in the box.